ABC Announces Masters of Science Fiction Mini-Series
Looks like anthology shows are back in vogue once again, and with the success of Showtime’s Masters of Horror series (Season 2 is expected to start in October), it only makes sense that someone would take the idea and apply it to another related genre: science fiction. This fall ABC is teaming up with IDT Entertainment (the same company behind Masters of Horror) to bring us a network mini-series called Masters of Science Fiction. The show will be a mid-season replacement, and the 6 episode run looks to feature a star-studded cast. Here’s the episode breakdown:
“A Clean Escape” — Story by John Kessel, Directed by Mark Rydell, Starring Judy Davis and Sam Waterston
“Jerry Was A Man” — Story by Robert Heinlein, Directed by Michael Tolkin, Starring Anne Heche and Malcolm McDowell
“The General Zapped An Angel” — Story by Howard Fast, Directed by Harold Becker, Starring Terry O’ Quinn and Elisabeth Rohm
“Little Brother” — Story by Walter Mosley, Directed by Darnell Martin, Starring Clifton Collins, Jr. and Kimberly Elise
“Watchbird” — Story by Robert Sheckley, Directed by Michael Petroni, Starring Sean Astin and James Cromwell
“The Discarded” — Story by Harlan Ellison, Directed by Jonathan Frakes, Starring Brian Dennehy, John Hurt and James Denton
Physicist Stephen Hawking will also be introducing each episode. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this, but I do have a couple of reservations. One is the fact that it’s airing on a major network, which will make the episodes a little more tame and sanitized (admittedly, not as restrictive for sci-fi as it would be for horror). The other thing is the list of directors… Masters of Horror was interesting because of the amazing list of respected filmmakers involved, but here it looks like mostly unexpectional jobbers. Come on… Jonathan Frakes??? That can’t be a good sign!
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Comments (2)
this could be something of interest for me to watch, sounds like they have a good number of guests on it.
Posted by Chopper on August 23rd, 2006i wish that they would do more on stephen king’s nightmares and dreamscapes.
Yeah I know there are all sorts of great Sci-fi short stories out there hopefully this first season will create more interest and we might get some good ones and bring some good series’ back to TV. This is the sort of show that Sci-Fi Channel should have been doing for years. I guess there was a new Outer Limits in syndication for awhile so that might be a sign of how successful this show won’t be. Either way I think if the show is successful it would be cool to see if they’d do something like Harlan Ellison’s I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. That is a true sci-fi/horror story.
Posted by ToliverChap on August 23rd, 2006Leave a Reply